ἀκαθαρσία
akatharsia
impurity
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsia) is defined as impurity. It occurs 10 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the context of the New Testament. The term suggests a state of moral or spiritual uncleanness, which can be understood as a lack of purity or a contamination of one's character. The range of usage for ἀκαθαρσία varies, but it often refers to the moral or spiritual consequences of sin. In some cases, it is used to describe physical impurities, such as ceremonial uncleanness. However, in the majority of instances, it carries a deeper spiritual connotation, highlighting the need for spiritual cleansing and purification. The significance of ἀκαθαρσία lies in its emphasis on the importance of spiritual purity and the need for moral accountability. It underscores the idea that sin has consequences that go beyond physical or external manifestations, affecting one's inner character and relationship with God.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences across the text
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Romans 1:24Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves;
Romans 6:19I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification.
2 Corinthians 12:21that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.
Galatians 5:19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Ephesians 4:19They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 5:3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;
Colossians 3:5Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
1 Thessalonians 2:3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.
1 Thessalonians 4:7For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.